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Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Stand Against "Right to Work For Less" Law in Michigan

12/10/12

Washington, D.C.— Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Keith Ellison (D-MN) released this statement after Republican lawmakers in Michigan moved to rush anti-labor legislation through both chambers of the state legislature:

“Republican lawmakers continue to blame working Americans for a crisis they didn’t cause. Teachers, firefighters and autoworkers are not the reason for any state’s budget problems. Republicans voted to put two expensive wars on the national credit card and pass tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires. Ending working families’ ability to bargain for a fair wage will hurt them even more.

“As we know from Arizona, right-to-work is a code for lower wages, less employment, powerless employees, fewer benefits and a weaker economy for all but the very rich. If right-to-work solved any of the problems its supporters claimed it did, Arizona would be an economic beacon for the rest of the country. Its continued struggles are reason enough for Michigan’s working families, and their allies around the country, to fight and win this battle.

“This legislation in Michigan will cut health insurance for workers and take money out of their pockets, crippling an active recovery in the state. Republicans continue to protect the richest individuals and corporations at the expense of millions of middle class families.

“What’s happening in Michigan isn’t just about union members. It’s part of the larger fight to defend working Americans. We stand with those fighting against any move to change Michigan into a ‘Right-to-Work-For-Less’ state, and we encourage working Americans around the country to join us.”